Episode Summary
Han Li successfully but perilously achieves the Foundation Establishment stage.His breakthrough leads to a direct confrontation with Chen Qiaoqian, who is now certain he was her rescuer. At the Yan Family Fortress, a sinister plot is revealed involving Wang Chan's demonic cultivation, the murder of Elder Liu, and a tempting marriage proposal to unite powerful families.Han Li, now a formal disciple under a new master, learns of a critical flaw in his sword technique and receives a profound lesson on the nature of cultivation. The episode ends with Nangong Wan deciding to personally investigate the Forbidden Land incident, with her suspicions aimed squarely at Han Li.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Han Li finally succeeding in cultivating the mature spirit grass. He refines a large number of Foundation Establishment Pills, confidently believing that consuming ten should be more than enough to guarantee his breakthrough, a feat others achieve with just one. His first attempt with two pills proves overwhelming; the medicinal power is so intense that he loses consciousness. Undeterred, he continues taking the pills upon waking. The immense power accumulating in his body presents a dire ultimatum: achieve Foundation Establishment or perish from the overload. Gritting his teeth through the ordeal, Han Li ultimately triumphs, successfully reaching the new cultivation stage.
At the same time, Chen Qiaoqian is also preparing for her own breakthrough. Her thoughts drift back to the day of her rescue, and seeing Han Li's silhouette in her mind, she becomes convinced that he was the one who saved her. Soon, disciples notice that two new cultivators have reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Chen Qiaoqian seeks out her Uncle-Master to inquire about the identity of the other cultivator. He informs her it was Han Li, who had just left. She immediately chases after him and confronts him directly. Han Li attempts to deny it, arguing that in his previous, weaker state, he would have been no match for Lu Mingyuan. However, Chen Qiaoqian is not swayed, stating that she knows the truth regardless of his denial. A frustrated Han Li mutters to himself that he should have given her a larger dose of the Forgetting Dust Pill.
Meanwhile, a darker plot unfolds within the Yan family. Yan Ruyan's father has permitted Wang Chan to treat his daughter's illness. Elder Liu, observing the process, discovers Wang Chan's sinister method: he is absorbing the power of other cultivators.Elder Liu warns the father about Wang Chan's demonic techniques, but the father reveals his greater ambition. He explains that Yan Ruyan is their family's best hope of producing a Nascent Soul cultivator, the true source of power for the great sects, and he is willing to take risks for that potential. Elder Liu offers to investigate Wang Chan further, and the father agrees. However, when Elder Liu later confronts Wang Chan to collect a promised payment and attempts to sever ties, Wang Chan murders him on the spot and reclaims his payment.
Wang Chan then approaches Yan Ruyan's father with a bold proposal for an alliance. The father is initially hesitant, reminding Wang Chan that their families separated from the Ghost Spirit Sect three hundred years ago. Wang Chan counters by revealing he also possesses Spiritual Roots and suggests a marriage to Yan Ruyan. He argues that their child would be immensely talented and would unite the Yan Family Fortress and the Ghost Spirit Sect. The proposition clearly tempts Yan Ruyan's father.
Now a formal disciple of Li Huayuan, Han Li goes to thank his former Martial Uncle Ma, who corrects him, saying they are now fellow disciples and should be addressed as martial brothers. During a friendly spar with his new peers, they discover that Han Li has mastered the Azure Cloud Sword Art to the fourth level. They warn him that from this level on, he will face the dangerous side effect of his cultivation power randomly dissipating. Later, Li Huayuan gathers his disciples for a lesson, explaining that the true purpose of cultivation is not to sever all emotion but to achieve freedom through a "clear and unobstructed mind." Han Li is left to ponder this profound concept.
Finally, the mystery of the Forbidden Land incident resurfaces. Li Huayuan and Hong Fu discuss the matter, noting that many disciples from the Spirit Beast Mountain are being blamed. Elsewhere, the Sect Master questions Nangong Wan about her odd behavior since returning from the Forbidden Land, but she deflects his concerns. After receiving a message, Nangong Wan decides to investigate the situation herself, with a particular interest in confirming Han Li's story. She ominously muses that if he has dared to lie, she will personally "erect a monument for him."
